Top Ten Twins Players Under 25 (6-10)

Prospects lists are in interesting endeavor. In the 2018 Twins Prospect Handbook, all of the writers compiled their own top prospect lists. We even have previous year’s list so you can peruse some of the history of the organization. This year’s book was the tenth edition so there have been plenty of hits and plenty of misses along the way.

One thing prospect lists don’t show is the depth of young talent at the big league level. Minnesota’s farm system would look a lot different if the likes of Byron Buxton or Jose Berrios were still populating top-10 lists. Hence, the need for a look at the top ten players in the Twins system under age 25.

The list below is limited to players whose seasonal ages for 2018 are 24 or younger—that is, any player who will not yet have turned 25 on July 1, 2018. Players like Miguel Sano and Max Kepler don’t qualify because they will turn 25 before July 1st.

10. Brusdar Graterol, RHPDate of birth: August 26, 1998 (age-19 season)Graterol might be a little unknown to the casual Twins fan. Other pitching prospects like Fernando Romero and Stephen Gonsalves are closer to the big leagues and typically rank higher on prospect lists. When looking to 2018, I identified Graterol as a prospect to watch. He should get his first taste of a full season league by the end of next season. It’s hard not to get excited about a player with a triple-digit fastball. He’s multiple years away from Target Field but he’s certainly an exciting prospect.

9. Alex Kirilloff, OFDate of birth: November 9, 1997 (age-20 season)Kirilloff missed all of 2017 following Tommy John surgery. Minnesota’s top pick from 2016 still has plenty of promise as an outfield prospect. Even after missing time, Kirilloff has an advanced approach at the plate. He should get his first taste of a full-season league and he will be younger than the competition in Cedar Rapids. If his bat plays well, he could be a fast riser of the next handful of seasons. Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, and Eddie Rosario currently have the outfield on lockdown but Kirilloff will be an important part of the future.

8. Fernando Romero, RHPDate of birth: December 24, 1994 (age-23 season)Romero flourished in 2016 after returning from Tommy John surgery. There were more bumps in the road during 2017. However, he was over two years younger than the competition in the Southern League. He pitched over 120 innings for the first time as a professional. His strikeouts per nine matched his career number but his walks per nine was half a walk higher. Romero could spend most of 2018 in Rochester but there’s also a shot he makes his big league debut.

7. Brent Rooker, OF/1BDate of birth: November 1, 1994 (age-23 season)Brent Rooker can bash and the 2018 season could be huge for him as he already has played in Fort Myers. Last season, Rooker combined for a .930 OPS between the Appy League and the Florida State League, which is typically considered a pitcher’s league. In 129 games between college and the pros, he mashed 41 home runs. Rooker was old for being drafted so he should spend time at Chattanooga in the coming year. Injuries, poor play, or even Rooker’s hot bat could put him on the fast track to Target Field.

6. Stephen Gonsalves, LHPDate of birth: July 8, 1994 (age-23 season)For the second straight year, Gonsalves was name the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year. Most likely, that’s an honor he won’t want to three-peat in 2018. Over the last two seasons, he has made 28 starts at the Double-A level. During that time he has a 2.28 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 10.3 K/9. After making his Triple-A debut this past season, I made him a resolution for 2018. It’s going to be a tough task but he has the chance to be an integral part of Minnesota’s rotation as they fight for positioning in the American League over the next half of a decade.

How would your rankings look? Would you have other players on the second-half of your list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

1 Comments

This batch of talent makes me excited.Two are very close, one is moving fast, and two are turning heads at the lower levels.I wouldn't be surprised if Graterol is closer to the top of this list by season's end.I don't know enough about him, but talking to some people in the organization, they're more excited about this guy than any other prospect right now, including Lewis.